. 2020 Jul 17;20:661. doi: 10.1186/s12913-020-05520-y

Table 2.

Examples of the analysis process

STEP 1 Preliminary themes	STEP 2 Meaning units (an example)	STEP 3 Sub-categories	STEP 4 Main categories
Perceived patient challenges	They get very upset and devastated. It is a life crisis in a way … it is heart-breaking to watch their reactions and difficult to know how to help them in the best possible way. You really can’t tell them everything will be fine because sometimes it isn’t. (Nurse, interview 1) Then they get retention, or they get anastomosis leakage, or they get facie rupture. Then, it will be a longer course … then, I see the crisis approaching. This is the biggest challenge. (Nurse, interview 5) They are very curious about things. They not only ask the doctor who does the rounds, but they ask the auxiliary nurses, the evening shift nurses who do not know the patient from the day shift. Then, you lose information, and there will be misunderstandings. It is very challenging and frustrating for the patient. (Surgeon, interview 3)	Emotional responses burdening patients Being troubled by treatment complications and side effects The patient’s unmet needs for information increases the burden	Capturing patients’ burden of CRC treatment
Perceptions of CRC patients’ need for support	If they feel safe, they can handle almost anything … you need to make things look a bit less serious. (Nurse, interview 2) Our wish is that they learn as much as possible. We try to give them tools for coping so they feel ready to go home. (HP5) They (the patient organisation) come here a lot. Actually, not everyone wants to meet with them. They (the patients) are in a post-surgical stage, and there are so many new things with the ostomy they have to take in. They get a card and can contact them if they want to. They will always be there for them. (Nurse, interview 8) Sometimes, I get all choked up and teary-eyed just by thinking of the patient’s situation. It is a difficult challenge because it’s cancer. (Surgeon, interview 3)	Creating safe environments Motivating and supporting patient self-management Facilitating contact with family and peer support Facing challenges in providing sufficient support	Health professionals’ supportive work

STEP 1 Preliminary themes

STEP 2 Meaning units (an example)

STEP 3 Sub-categories

STEP 4 Main categories

Perceived patient challenges

They get very upset and devastated. It is a life crisis in a way … it is heart-breaking to watch their reactions and difficult to know how to help them in the best possible way. You really can’t tell them everything will be fine because sometimes it isn’t. (Nurse, interview 1)

Then they get retention, or they get anastomosis leakage, or they get facie rupture. Then, it will be a longer course … then, I see the crisis approaching. This is the biggest challenge. (Nurse, interview 5)

They are very curious about things. They not only ask the doctor who does the rounds, but they ask the auxiliary nurses, the evening shift nurses who do not know the patient from the day shift. Then, you lose information, and there will be misunderstandings. It is very challenging and frustrating for the patient. (Surgeon, interview 3)

Emotional responses burdening patients

Being troubled by treatment complications and side effects

The patient’s unmet needs for information increases the burden

Capturing patients’ burden of CRC treatment

Perceptions of CRC patients’ need for support

If they feel safe, they can handle almost anything … you need to make things look a bit less serious. (Nurse, interview 2)

Our wish is that they learn as much as possible. We try to give them tools for coping so they feel ready to go home. (HP5)

They (the patient organisation) come here a lot. Actually, not everyone wants to meet with them. They (the patients) are in a post-surgical stage, and there are so many new things with the ostomy they have to take in. They get a card and can contact them if they want to. They will always be there for them. (Nurse, interview 8)

Sometimes, I get all choked up and teary-eyed just by thinking of the patient’s situation. It is a difficult challenge because it’s cancer. (Surgeon, interview 3)

Creating safe environments

Motivating and supporting patient self-management

Facilitating contact with family and peer support

Facing challenges in providing sufficient support

Health professionals’ supportive work